Challenges in Material Management for Heritage Building Conservation in Malacca’s UNESCO World Heritage Site

Conservation projects differ significantly from conventional construction projects. Conservation work, especially regarding materials, requires specialized knowledge and experience. The materials used in conservation are distinct from those in typical construction because conservation efforts prioritize using appropriate expertise and authentic materials. In heritage building conservation projects, the choice of materials is crucial. As projects increase in scale, managing the resources for conservation materials becomes more complex, demanding advanced technologies to ensure timely and effective delivery. This research aims to explore the challenges in material management for conservation of heritage buildings in Malacca. The objectives are to identify current practices in managing conservation materials for the conservation of heritage buildings in the Malacca UNESCO World Heritage Site and to explore the challenges faced during this process. A qualitative methodology is employed, involving systematic interviews with stakeholders involved in a heritage building conservation project in Malacca. Six participants were interviewed. The findings underscore the challenges that always been faced in conservation projects and it is hoped that this research will benefit stakeholders to prepare in finding solution to overcome the challenges and contribute to more effective conservation project.